Flanked by jungle on all sides, Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort and Spa overlooks its own pristine 3km soft white sand beach in a secluded cove, which according to my travel companion, ten years resident, is one of the cleanest in Malaysia. Not many hotels can boast this kind of location with the added draw of an on-site Orangutan Sanctuary and an 18 hole championship golf course.
On arrival, the gong is sounded, ‘Welcome home,’ breathes our elegantly dressed hostess. We are taken straight to our rooms in the Ocean Wing. The room is spacious, light and airy, in natural tones with splashes of vibrant orange and lime. Opening the door to the terrace we are surprised with our private Jacuzzi bath and garden/pool entrance. Verdant lawns and flowering trees lead the way to the glowing sand and sparkling sea.
Shangri-La likes to ensure that personal tastes are catered to. If the room scent is not to your liking, please choose a different aroma from the menu. We plump for passion fruit, which fills the room for the rest of our stay with a warm tropical glow. If you don’t like feather pillows, please choose from the pillow menu. Monica exclaims at the expresso machine, and happily gets busy figuring out its mechanics. Should you need a restful evening, there is an extensive DVD menu available on request.
We love our spacious bathroom with huge mirror and double sink, and the luxurious body products combined with early travel, demand an instant hot shower. Refreshed and smelling of bergamot and lemon grass we step out to explore the environment.
The resort is extensive with many different locations to relax in, whatever your preference, be it beach, garden, pool, lounge or bar. The Ocean Wing is the quieter side, with adult pool bar. The Garden Wing is more appealing to families with an entertaining pool including several water slides. It’s lively and the children are having fun.
Down to the beach where bright blue sunshades echo the sky, and pristine white sand sinks between our toes. In the calm of the morning enjoy a paddle on the flat ocean, while in the afternoon the wind gets up nicely, the ripples on the surface of the water enticing the sailors amongst us out for a whizz on one of Rasa Ria’s colourful cats or windsurfers.
The Rasa Ria package includes breakfast, served either in the Coffee Terrace overlooking the garden or for guests in the Ocean Wing, at Coast on the beach. We are delighted with the choices. Monica takes three different mueslis - a raw, a toasted granola and a bircher. Being Scottish I start with a small bowl of porridge, delicious and creamy.
We are spoilt for choice, as well as the regular cooked breakfast items, fresh fruits and wide range of breads and patisserie, we are presented with salads, smoked salmon, cold cuts local brie and camembert (quite good and strong). For the Asian tastes try local laksa or chicken noodle soup. I have to try the special of the day, the chocolate rice pancake with berry compote and conclude that it is delicious. Monica is happy with her eggs. Coast also offers a glass of sparkling with breakfast which mirrors the shimmering sea which is the view from our breakfast table.
Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort and Spa, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia
..
